Full Breakdown
Early Signs of an Electric-Vehicle Sales Recovery in the United States
By Drooid · · How we work
Background and Recent Policy Shifts
A year after President Donald Trump signed legislation that eliminated the federal $7,500 EV tax credit, U.S. electric-vehicle (EV) sales surged briefly before falling as dealers faced excess inventory. The removal of the credit, described by the administration as ending an “EV mandate,” sparked a short-term spike that pushed EV market share to an all-time high of nearly 11 percent in the third quarter of the prior year. Since then, demand has steadied, with EVs accounting for about 6 percent of new-vehicle sales this year, according to Cox Automotive.
Quarterly Performance Highlights
Tesla’s third-quarter deliveries totaled 486,532 EVs, a 2.1 percent decline from the previous quarter but still above analyst expectations of roughly 464,000. Rivian reported deliveries of 19,248 vehicles, surpassing the ? 17,600 units analysts had forecast. The stronger-than-expected results are linked to Rivian’s first full quarter of shipments for its new R2 midsize SUV, priced near $50,000.
Industry Perspectives and Official Statements
He cautioned that inventory levels remain volatile, emphasizing a preference for slightly undersupplying rather than overproducing. Ford’s U.S. sales head, Rob Kaffl, reported renewed interest in the Mustang-inspired Mach-E, with returning customers seeking additional EVs.
Data Snapshot
- EV market share (last year Q3): ? 11 % (Cox Automotive)
- Current EV market share (this year): ? 6 % (Cox Automotive)
- Dealer inventory days: reduced from ~180 days (early 2026) to ~78 days (August)
- Tesla Q3 deliveries: 486,532 EVs (? 2 % decline)
- Rivian Q3 deliveries: 19,248 vehicles (exceeding ? 17,600 forecast)
Verbatim Quotes
- “Because of the war, because of gas prices, we’ve also seen a rise and a recovery in EV sales,” — Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai’s North America business
- “We are still in the early stages of this looming EV comeback,” — Itay Michaeli
- “Always better to have one or two vehicles too few than have one too many,” — Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai’s North America business
Outlook
Analysts at TD Cowen project that a broader EV rebound could materialize in 2027-2028, driven by next-generation models and expanded autonomous-driving features. The current uptick suggests a tentative “looming EV comeback,” but manufacturers remain cautious, citing ongoing volatility in fuel prices and global events.